Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance (JIMF)
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Digital Financial Inclusion and Bank Stability in a Dual Banking System: Does Financial Literacy Matter?
Full text linkThis study examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), financial literacy, and stability of conventional and Islamic banks across 15 countries from 2011 to 2020. The findings show that DFI significantly enhances the stability of conventional banks, particularly through increased customer engagement with digital financial services, improving asset quality and reducing risks. In contrast, the relationship between DFI and stability of Islamic banks is either insignificant or negative, which may be attributed to Shariah compliance requirements, product mismatches, and competition from conventional banks and FinTech firms. Furthermore, while DFI boosts stability in conventional banks, it also exposes them to potential risks such as digital bank runs, as seen in the case of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2023. Additionally, high financial literacy positively interacts with DFI to boost the stability of conventional banks but has a negative impact on Islamic banks. Arguably, financially literate customers may resist digital services that do not fully meet Islamic principles. The results highlight the need for tailored strategies in Islamic banking, including the development of Shariah-compliant digital products, enhanced financial literacy programs, and more robust risk management frameworks to mitigate vulnerabilities like digital bank runs and improve stability in the sector
Risk-Adjusted Returns and Spillover Dynamics among Emerging Digital Currencies
Full text linkThis study investigates the interconnected dynamics among diverse digital currencies, specifically focusing on risk-adjusted returns, tail risks, dynamic spillovers, and portfolio implications. Unlike prior research, which typically examines individual digital currency classes separately or in limited combinations, our study integrates six distinct classes of digital currencies, namely Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies, green cryptocurrencies, gold-backed stablecoins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized finance (DeFi) assets, and conventional cryptocurrencies, enabling direct comparisons of risk-return dynamics and systemic interdependencies. Using Value at Risk (VaR), Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR), quantile-based Vector Autoregression (Quantile VAR), and network connectedness analysis, we provide nuanced insights into the behavior of these assets across various market conditions (bullish, bearish, and normal states). Our results demonstrate that conventional cryptocurrencies and DeFi assets consistently deliver positive risk-adjusted returns, whereas Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies exhibit notably higher downside risks and negative performance. Spillover analysis reveals pronounced connectedness, particularly in extreme market states, with conventional cryptocurrencies identified as primary transmitters of market shocks and gold-backed stablecoins and Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies as recipients. Our findings underscore significant diversification opportunities offered by pairs of assets exhibiting low connectedness, especially in normal market conditions. Furthermore, portfolio optimization analysis highlights the superior hedging effectiveness and lower hedging costs associated with gold-backed stablecoins and conventional cryptocurrency pairs. This comprehensive investigation delivers critical implications for investors, suggesting informed strategies for asset allocation and risk management. Policymakers can also utilize our insights to design adaptive regulatory frameworks that address systemic risks arising from digital currency markets.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Gazi Salah Uddin gratefully acknowledges the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, for the academic appointment as Adjunct and Visiting Professor, and expresses sincere appreciation for the institutional support and research facilities extended during his residency, which significantly contributed to the completion of this work
Innovative Capacity in Muslim-Majority Countries: Does Islamic Finance Play a Role?
Full text linkThe paper examines the influences of Islamic finance and overall financial development on innovative capacity of Muslim-majority nations. It employs a panel dataset comprising 15 Muslim-majority countries over the period 2016-2022. Innovative capacity is measured by the number of patent applications, decomposed into applications made by residents and non-residents. Employing the Feasible GLS technique and taking into account the presence of heteroskedastic and serially correlated errors, we find that the development of Islamic finance is vital for innovations. More specifically, we find robust evidence suggesting that Islamic finance positively affects innovations by non-residents while it has no influence on innovations by residents. Furthermore, overall financial development also significantly influences innovations by non-residents but not innovation by residents. Moreover, there is evidence that trade openness and foreign direct investment positively influence innovations and natural resource rents exert negative impact on innovations. The study concludes that financial system policies that encourage the awareness, accessibility, and depth of Islamic finance operations are needed to boost innovative capacity. Awareness campaign and policies aimed at developing technical education in these countries should be pursued to boost the innovative capacities of residents, which is considerably lower when compared to innovative activities from abroad
ESG and Banking Performance in Emerging and Developing Countries: Do Islamic Banks Perform Better?
Full text linkThis paper investigates the effects of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation on banking performance in emerging and developing countries. Applying the Two-step System Generalized Method of Moments (System-GMM) to panel data of 179 banks across 29 countries spanning 2016-2022, we find that ESG implementation significantly enhances overall banking profitability. However, when we assess the implications of ESG on Islamic banks, we find that overall ESG commitment significantly reduces profitability. As for the individual ESG pillar, we note the profit-enhancing effect of environmental pillar on both Islamic and conventional bank profitability. Some evidence is also uncovered for the significant positive effect of social pillar on conventional bank profitability. Finally, we note no significant influences from governance pillar. These results highlight the divergent impacts of ESG implementation on Islamic and conventional banks. We conclude that policymakers should exercise caution in designing and implementing ESG policies, ensuring they are tailored to promote optimal performance across different banking models. This study contributes to the growing body of the literature on sustainable finance and provides valuable insights for regulators and bank managers in emerging and developing economies
Weathering the Storm: Shariah Compliance, Digital Innovation, and Stock Performance during COVID-19
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global financial markets, highlighting the need for factors that enhance resilience. This study examines whether Shariah compliance and digital innovation, individually and together, mitigate declines in stock performance during economic downturns. Drawing on Signaling Theory and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), this study argues that Shariah compliance serves as a signal of strong governance, while digital innovation enhances adaptability. Using firm-level data from Indonesia and a difference-in-differences (DID) model, our findings suggest that both factors help firms withstand crises, with digital innovation amplifying the benefits of Shariah compliance. This study provides insights into how Islamic finance and digital transformation contribute to financial stability.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research is funded by HIBAH Penelitian International BINUS University 2024 (BINUS International Research Grant 2024). The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to BINUS University for the support and funding provided
Islamic Fintech Financing Adoption Amongst Asnaf Micro Entrepreneurs in Malaysia: Extended UTAUT2
Full text linkZakat serves as a significant mechanism for improving Asnaf’s income. Participants in the Islamic financial industry have acknowledged its potential and adopted various fintech strategies, per Bank Negara Malaysia's support for a more proactive collaborative approach to enhance Malaysia's Islamic social finance (ISF) landscape. Statistics and reports about technology adoption among Asnaf are scarce. This study examines how the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) factors affect Asnaf micro entrepreneurs in Malaysia's use of Islamic fintech financing. Following a thorough data screening process, a total of 292 samples is accepted for analysis using a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). Performance expectancy, price value, shariah financial literacy, perceived trust, and consumer pressure all significantly and positively influence the intention to use Islamic fintech financing. Subsequently, adoption is significantly influenced by behavioural intentions and facilitating conditions. This research represents one of the initial investigations into end users' factors influencing the adoption of Islamic fintech among Asnaf micro entrepreneurs, a field that is still nascent
Development of Sharia Hospitals as a Source of New Economic Growth
Full text linkThe development of Sharia hospitals represents a unique integration of Islamic values into healthcare services, fostering new avenues for economic growth. This study has three key objectives: (1) examining factors contributing to the establishment of Sharia hospitals, (2) analyzing the essential elements of Sharia hospital development using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) to ensure sustainability; and (3) assessing Sharia hospitals' potential to drive economic growth. Through a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected from 619 patients and 149 respondents, while qualitative insights were gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with stakeholders including hospital managers and policymakers. Results indicate that Sharia hospitals report higher levels of patient satisfaction and loyalty compared to non-sharia hospitals, with significant emphasis on service quality, and experiential marketing. The integration of Islamic financial instruments such as Zakat, Infak, Sedekah, and Wakaf (ZISWAF) also enhances financial accessibility for underserved populations, promoting equitable healthcare. Indonesia also has the opportunity to open up Muslim-friendly health tourism destinations, attracting patients from other Muslim-majority countries. The growth of Sharia hospitals also contributes to the expansion of the halal ecosystem in Indonesia. This is not only beneficial for the health sector but also drives economic growth.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors acknowledge the support from the Research Grant Bank Indonesia (RGBI) 2024, for funding this research endeavor
Accounting Education, Discipline, and Supervision When Women in Charge in Islamic Microfinance: Case Studies of Indonesia and Pakistan
Full text linkThis paper investigates the relations between women's freedom within the family and their access to accounting education, adherence to discipline, and supervision for the cases of Indonesia and Pakistan using the Structural Equation modelling. The participation of women in microfinance is deemed crucial for the success of poverty alleviation programs, particularly in countries where group-based initiatives are prevalent. The observation reveals that women involved in Islamic microfinance programs experience economic, moral, and religious empowerment, enabling them to overcome economic challenges and poverty, thereby enhancing their living standards. The findings indicate that women's ability to manage family finances has a direct impact on their access to accounting education, discipline, and supervision. The argument posits that autonomy plays a significant role in influencing accounting education, discipline, and supervision within the observed groups in Indonesia and Pakistan. The study further documents that the influence of women's life freedom in Baitut Tamkin Tazkia Madani (BTTM) Indonesia on accounting education and supervision surpasses that in Akhuwat Pakistan. Conversely, the impact of women's life freedom in BTTM on accounting discipline is lower than that in Akhuwat. This research addresses the existing gap in the literature concerning the study of women and Islamic microfinance, emphasizing the importance of considering Islamic perspectives on women, family, and microfinance in social policies aimed at poverty eradication.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the partial support of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as the research support provided by BTTM (Bogor, Indonesia) and Akhuwat (Lahore, Pakistan). We also express our sincere appreciation to the journal’s editors and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and valuable suggestions
Trends, Evolution and Future Research Directions in Waqf: A Bibliometric Analysis through Complex Networks
Full text linkThis study employs a quali-quantitative approach that combines both bibliometric standard method and content analysis process to analyse WAQF publications and derive the current trends, evolution and future research directions in this important sector of Islamic finance industry. Our final dataset consists of 645 publications retrieved from the Scopus database and covers the period from 1975 to 2023. We use VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R-Package, and Microsoft Excel to conduct our three-stage analysis, namely bibliometric performance analysis, bibliometric network map analysis, and content analysis. Our descriptive analysis indicates that Malaysia and Indonesia top the list of most influential countries, hold the most relevant institutions, and accommodate on average half of the top ten most productive and impactful authors. Our network map analysis on the other hand ascertains the existence of four primary research themes namely, cash WAQF; WAQF as part of Islamic social finance ecosystem and its contribution to sustainable development; accountability; and governance and disclosure. An important policy implication of our results is that policymakers should integrate WAQF and Islamic social finance institutions into the mainstream financial system, establish effective regulatory and governance ecosystems for WAQF institutions to increase their ability to boost people’s social welfare, expand the spectrum of impact investment, and strengthen their contribution to more sustainable growth
Portfolio Diversification Opportunities for Nigeria’s Islamic (Shariah) Stock Investors with Their Major Trading Partners
Full text linkThis paper investigates potential diversification opportunities for Nigeria’s Islamic stock investors with Nigeria’s top trading partners (France, Spain, United Kingdom and India). It employs daily data of Islamic stock indices, namely Nigeria’s LOTUS Islamic index and FTSE shariah indices of the four countries, from 14 July 2015 to 14 December 2022. Using multivariate GARCH-DCC, we show that Islamic investors from Nigeria have almost no portfolio diversification opportunities in the Islamic stock markets of these countries except for a slight portfolio diversification opportunity found in the UK Islamic stock market for a very short period (one year) and almost none for India, Spain, France. The results from the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) however suggest that diversification opportunities are present in UK, France, Spain and not in India. These findings have important policy implications for policy makers and investors seeking to invest in these countries to be mindful of the appropriate investment timing to minimize potential future losses in investments